A 21-year-old man has been sentenced after targeting an elderly woman in a distraction burglary in Gerrards Cross.

Jack Collins, of The Heights, Brighton, targeted the 88-year-old victim at her home last July after claiming to be a clock repair man, telling her she had previously asked him to come over for repairs.

The victim said she had no memory of this.

Police said they do not believe Collins took anything from the property.

He pleaded guilty at Amersham Crown Court on May 17 this year and was sentenced to 21 months behind bars, suspended for two years, 250 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £500 compensation.

Investigating officer PC Chris Jamieson, from Taplow Police Station, said: “I am grateful for the hard work undertaken to convict the offender and protect the vulnerable victim.

“I also particularly commend the brave neighbour who the challenged the offender during the burglary, causing him to flee.”

“I hope this promotes a message that we will robustly investigate these kinds of offences and ensure justice is brought to those attempting to target vulnerable members of our communities.

“This is a particularly disturbing case of an offender targeting an elderly victim and taking advantage of her vulnerabilities.

“We would also advise all elderly or vulnerable residents to be on their guard when people call at their door, even if they are expecting someone – care should still be taken.”

Police released a transcript taken from a CCTV recording of the incident: 

Jack Collins (JC) – “Good afternoon, sorry to trouble you, it’s about the brochure I dropped in last week, did you have a chance to read the brochure at all?”
Victim (V) – “What was it about?”
(JC) – “We’ve found out some good news about your clock for you, do you remember? We came a while back, and I just needed to have another quick look, that’s all.”
(V) opens the door – “If it’s anywhere it’ll be… look… do you see it?”
(JC) “Yes, it’s the wall clock, the grandmother”
(V) – “The big one?”
(JC) – “Yes! Do you remember we looked at it a while ago now?”
(V) – “I don’t remember”
(JC) – “Um, is it all right to have a quick look?” (after a 10 second gap in the CCTV) “…to get it repaired for you”
(V) – “I don’t particularly want it repaired”
(JC) – “No, that’s fine. I’ll leave that. Um do you remember the beads that you showed me upstairs? Because I found out about them for you and they’re going to be worth several hundred pounds. Is it alright to have another look?
(V) – “Yes”
(JC) – “Come on then”
JC goes up the stairs and is out of sight. The victim attempts to follow, but is slow climbing the stairs on her own.
Shortly after Collins goes upstairs a neighbour of the victim arrives, asking Collins who he is and for his business card. Collins agrees to go out to his car and collect the card for the neighbour, however he does not return to the property.